Poll: Which Phillie is Most Important for 2011?

Forget the pitching, we’re talking offense right now. Which player on offense needs to have the best season in order for the Phillies to become a World Series team again? That’s today’s poll question, so vote away! And Domonic Brown was excluded for obvious reasons:

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Jay

March 16, 2011 at 9:05 am

Francisco’s inclusion on this list is an interesting one, while I do not think he needs to have “the best” offensive season of the players on that list, it sure would make things easier for everyone else with a great season at the plate.

I’m surprised Jimmy is getting most of the votes. Frankly, we’ve been fine with him hitting around .250 the past two years and struggling at the leadoff spot. If he gets moved down to 3rd, he’ll be more relevant, but I don’t see why Charlie would do that (Polanco and Raul are by far better options).

I think with Utley ailing and Werth gone, our No.3 and No.5 hitters, most of the weight is going to fall on the shoulders of the Big Piece. Will he see a fastball? More importantly, has he made the adjustment to hit the offspeed pitches he will increasingly see? Without a solid season from Howard (I’m talking 40+ HRs), this offense suddenly becomes way below average. He also remains the only power hitter in the whole team.

I think the most important piece will be whomever is the #5 hitter – assuming Francisco for now. Certainly in the early part of the season, Howard isn’t going to see a pitch in the strike zone from a righty until someone proves it is a mistake to have him on base. If Howard has protection (I know a lot of people think it is a myth, I’m not one of them), he’ll hit. If not, he will approach a Bonds type level of walks, may start swinging at anything that looks like it is hittable. I think we know what we’ll get from PP and Rollins (if both are relatively healthy). If Vic really tries just to get on base, he could have a big impact (even last year, he showed flashes of that mentality, then goes back to hacking for the fences). I’ve resigned myself to thinking we’ll get a half season of Utley at best, hope I’m wrong.

Interesting question, but I feel like everyone can repeat last season’s performance and we’ll be fine. I voted for Ryan Howard because he’s the guy I most expect to improve over last year. But honestly, I’m not too concerned with anything right now. While other people are jumping off the bridge because of injuries to your starting guys, I’m admiring the silver lining that is great spring performances by Gload, Francisco, Mayberry, and a whole host of utility infield guys. Small sample size, but still something to hang your hat on.

With the preponderance of rightie aces in the NL East, Howard most needs to lead this offense to another pennant. Rollins and Vick are important mostly as RiSPs for Howard. As for Francisco, Mayberry and hopefully Barfield, it will be a function of their ability to hit “elite” pitchers. All in all, I’m feelin better than I did comin outta ST last year.

I understand the vote for Jimmy, but I voted for Howard. If the poll had been “Which offensive player do we need to improve the most over last year?” I’d vote Jimmy. One way or the other he gets my second place vote.

My case for Howard is this;
In a down year in 2010, Ryan Howard had 31 games of 2 or more RBI. (assuming my quick count was accurate, but trust me it’s close enough to make my point) I believe if he has a max performance year, he can get you 40-50 multiple RBI games, and I don’t believe any of the other guys on the list have the ability to do that. As an example, in JRoll’s MVP season he had 21 multiple RBI games. (again if my quick count is right) That’s not a put down, Jimmy was outstanding in every facet, and deserved the MVP that year. But big picture impact, I think Howard’s ability to drive in 140 or even more runs, is most important for our offense.

I also think we have enough good hitters to provide him “protection” in the five hole, but it may be a “by committee” kind of year, whoever is hot at the time.

I’m surprised Raul’s not even on this list. Regardless of that, I’d have to say Jimmy. He….along with Vic ….absolutely has to increase his OBP in order for this offense to have sustained success. Especially with the loss of Werth’s power and Utley being out for God knows how long.

For me, its Ryan Howard . . . the one player that has given consistent production in the Phillies lineup over the past 5 years ..

I hate the talk of his “down year in 2010” . . . . when all he did was hit HRs people wanted to see him use the field more, up his batting average, play better defense, etc . . . now that he does all that, people would rather him swing for the fences at all times

I think Jose Bautista was the only player with more than 50, 45, maybe even 40 HRs last year

I had to pick JRoll, just because I think if he can hit around 270 then he sets a lot of things up, I would like to see him .300 but I know that may be unrealistic. Anyway, I think if he can set the table, then PP and Raul, whom I think will be batting 3rd until Chase comes back, a hole where he hit .350. And when Jimmy gets on he will make everyone better

That was proven incorrect last year. Jimmy was abysmal and we still ended up with more wins than any other team in MLB. Offensively, we won’t have to do much but if there’s one player on this team that absolutely cannot have a bad season it’s Ryan Howard. He’s the best run producer on this team and the one guy that can change the game with one swing of the bat. He had a “down” year- missed time with injury, didn’t have the power numbers that we expect and didn’t have the supporting cast around him and yet he still ended up 4th in the NL in RBI and 10th in HR. We can win a lot of games 1-0 and if Ryan Howard’s swinging the bat, he can put that one run on the board… I think we’ll see a lot of clutch hits from the Big Piece.

As with every year he plays,RYAN HOWARD is the most important and most valuable player on this team.I look for howard to have a MONSTER year,and to be honest he looks great this spring ever since he has moved closer to the plate!!!

I guess I stayed away from Ryan cause I expect him to be Ryan Howard, and hit 35-40 HRs 120-140 RBIs. That is why I think it is JRoll because I am not sure what he will do, and with Chase out and no JDUB his bat will be more important than last year. So saying the put up all those runs last year was somewhat due to some players that will not be here or will miss some time. Plus if you just look at run totals is a little of base. Because if you really look at it last years team either scored 7-10 runs or 0-2 runs.
I almost think Benny Fresh is second especially if he is the #5 hitter because if he only hits .235-.240 Ryan will absolutely nothing to hit.